Yavneh Academy’s seventh grade students, led by Cheryl Frankel, participated in the Teach NJ Virtual Mission to Trenton last Tuesday. The students heard from elected officials and community leaders on the importance of making one’s voice heard.

The first keynote speaker was Justice Sam Bernstein, who was the first blind justice to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court. He is a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities. He discussed why school is difficult for so many. He acknowledged there are those to whom, “Life seems to just come easy.” Yavneh students and teachers were deeply touched by Justice Bernstein’s message. He is proof that we can all accomplish so much by addressing our strengths and not allowing our challenges to rule us. His message that the world is wide open gave chizuk to so many. Adolescence is a particularly difficult time for children. Their self-doubt often appears; Justice Bernstein gave them his “eyes” to the future.

The students then met with former Governor Richard Codey or Senator Holly T. Schepsi and were given the opportunity to directly advocate for increased state funding for security and transportation, while getting to understand what it takes to be an elected official. The conversations were impressive as the students confidently and graciously addressed the elected legislators.

Yavneh Academy thanks Teach NJ’s efforts to ensure that non-public schools will be awarded increased state funding. Yavneh stands proudly with the nearly 1,000 students who joined Tuesday’s mission.